Tag Archives: autoinformed

Senior Exec Shakeup at GM. Quattrone now Senior VP, Global Human Resources. Howell and P.R. Head Bingol Out

GM also announced that Selim Bingol, Senior Vice President, Global Communications and Public Policy, is leaving the company “to pursue other interests.” No successor was named.

The latest moves come as the media coverage of GM’s ignition switch disaster – 13 deaths alleged – is at hysterical levels. Continue reading

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Small Lexus NX Crossover Launches in Beijing. U.S. Snubbed

Aside from the fact that this is the first turbocharged engine in the lineup, Lexus is ignoring the New York Auto Show, which runs just after Beijing in what, was formerly its most important market. Continue reading

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GM to Replace Lock Cylinders as Ignition Switch Recall Expands

General Motors has told NHTSA that it is adding ignition lock cylinders to its safety recall of 2.2 million cars in the United States. The defective cylinders from former in-house supplier Delphi can allow removal of the ignition key while the engine is running, leading to a possible rollaway, crash and occupant or pedestrian injuries. Continue reading

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Q1 Recall Charge at GM for Ignition Switches Now at $1.3 Billion. More Shareholder Earnings Nicks Will be Coming

GM said today that it expects to take a charge of about$1.3 billion in Q1 for the cost of safety recall related repairs announced – thus far – in the 2014 calendar year. This amount includes the $750 million charge previously announced on 31 March. Continue reading

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Hey, Detroit Three What Ever Happened to Pizzazz?

The people who invented pizzazz, Detroit’s Big Three, have all but ditched some of the more alluring coupes and convertibles that once were their shining stars. Continue reading

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Porsche Sales Up Slightly in Q1 of 2014

The U.S. (10,136 Q1) China, (9,885 Q1) and Germany (4,881 Q1) remain Porsche’s most significant markets, with the German disdain evident for the U.S. in what is its customary delayed introductions of the latest cars and trucks in its largest market.The U.S. (10,136 Q1) China, (9,885 Q1) and Germany (4,881 Q1) remain Porsche’s most significant markets, with the German disdain evident for the U.S. in what is its customary delayed introductions of the latest cars and trucks in its largest market. Continue reading

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Western EU Car Sales increase in March

While the annual selling rate, or SAAR, is still a pitiful11.8 million, car sales in Western Europe grew by 10% in March to 1.4 million. The car market continues to slowly expand, up 7.4% for Q1 of 2014. Continue reading

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Holy Toledo! 2015 Corvette Gets Eight-Speed Automatic

Chevy claims excellent shift times that rival the best dual-clutch designs of which ZF is the leading supplier. Porsche, of course, offers dual-clutch automatics and the new Corvette already outperforms Porsche models costing tens – or much more – thousands of dollars greater. Continue reading

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Did Tennessee Governor Haslam Violate Worker’s Rights?

Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam and other Republican state lawmakers are charged with trying to prevent Volkswagen workers from obtaining union representation by threatening to withhold state aid for the now stalled expansion of the Chattanooga plant where the Passat is assembled. Continue reading

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Two Mexican Illegals Charged in Wisconsin for Odometer Fraud

The indictment alleges that from late 2009 through February 2014, the defendants rolled back the odometers on at least 146 vehicles. Continue reading

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March U.S. Auto Sales – in like a Frozen Lamb, out like a Lion

The back end of March staged a comeback for U.S. auto sales as buyers – not lookers – visited dealer showrooms. Sales for all brands increased 5.7% compared to March 2013 and a whopping 28.8% compared to a frigid, stormy February. Continue reading

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Kerr-McGee $5.15 Billion Cleanup Settlement Largest in History

“If you are responsible for 85 years of poisoning the earth, then you are responsible for cleaning it up,” said U.S. Attorney Bharara. “That’s why this case was brought.” Continue reading

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GM Ignition Switch Hearings and More on Car Concerns Radio

Hear a discussion about a simple question – asked in various ways repeatedly at the GM U.S. Congressional hearings with no answers – why did it take a decade to recall what GM now admits was a defective Delphi ignition switch whose failure caused cars to stall suddenly while the airbags were disabled. And much more. Continue reading

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Asleep at the Switch! Head of NHTSA Friedman, GM CEO Barra Duck Tough Questions at House Hearing

The ‘we’re still looking at it’ excuse was particularly lame in front of grandstanding Congresspersons, many of whom were clearly ignorant of the technicalities surrounding the issue. Lost in the hype is the fact that people die from airbag deployment if they are not wearing a seatbelt and as a result are moving forward during the explosion. Continue reading

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Baseball, Apple Pie and Red Sox v White Sox at White House

“We’re all on the same team.” And I think Big Papi put it better and more colorfully than any of us could. I won’t repeat his quote. But the point is, Boston and the Red Sox were one this season.” Continue reading

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